U18 BREAKERS 88B WIN FOURTH CYSA-N STATE CHAMPIONSHIP; BIRTH TO FIFTH USYSA REGIONALS

April 29, 2007 – Livermore, CA. The U18 boys Santa Cruz County Breaker Soccer team won their fourth State Championship today. It is the Breakers 88B fourth CYSA-N championship in five years and results in their fifth trip to the United States Youth Soccer Association Far West Regional Tournament, where the boys were semifinalists in 2006 (losing 1—0 to three three-time National Champions Arsenal from Cal South. The Breakers 88 B beat the San Juan Thunder 3-2 on Sunday in a double overtime, ‘barn-burner’ of a match.  

After having a goal disallowed in the first two minutes of the match, the Breakers were first on the scoreboard within ten minutes of kick-off on a Walker Linares throw in into the Thunder penalty box, which Alberto Mata drove a hard volley into the lower left hand corner of the goal from close range. The Thunder, a very well coached and talented team, drew even before half time. In the second half Jose Gonzalez put the Breakers 88B on top 2-1 with an unassisted goal in which he collected the ball just outside the penalty box and dribbled past two defenders before driving a low driven ball past another defender and the diving Thunder keeper.

Not two minutes later the Thunder showed why they have been a Cal North powerhouse team these past four years with wonderful ball movement and to find their right outside midfielder who drew the Thunder even at two goals a piece with a spectacular 30 yard driven ball from the right outside midfielder. Despite chances for both teams, regular time expired and two 15 minute golden goal overtime periods followed – something that had become common place for the Breakers in this 2007 State Championship tournament.

Deadlocked at 2-2 the two teams played at a furious pace with no goals in the first overtime period. With less than five minutes left in the second overtime, as both coaches prepared their lists for the eventual penalty kick shootout that would follow, two longtime Breaker teammates combined for a spectacular goal. Teammates since they were 10 years old, Alberto Mata and Jose Gonzalez combined in great fashion as they had so many times through the years. Jeremy Delre, the Breakers keeper who had made a spectacular save to keep the Thunder from scoring in the first overtime struck a 50 yard ball on a restart in the Breakers half which Jose Gonzalez headed to Alberto Mata on the left touch line. Mata, froze a defender on the dribble before laying the ball off to Gonzalez who hit a right footed bullet with his first touch to seal the Breakers fourth Championship.

Although the Breakers have had good success through the years, it was surreal finish to a storied Cal-North playing career in such fashion. As the crowd erupted, Gonzalez ripped off his shirt and ran towards the sideline…at least until the inevitable dogpile celebration caught and smothered him. It was the third time in three State Championship matches that the Breakers had beaten the River City/San Juan Thunder and while the unbelievable feat of winning a fourth State Championship sunk in, the Breakers showed their incredible opponents great respect during the post-game awards ceremony.

Breakers Continue to Advance

April 22, 2007 Turlock, CA - The Santa Cruz County Breakers 88 beat a superbly talented and athletic Marin FC side this cold, rainy, grey morning to advanced to the California Youth Soccer Association State Championship Match for the fifth time in six years. With tired legs from the previous days double overtime victory, the Breakers went down 2-0 on one goal from the run of play and the second on a penalty kick. However the second goal seemed to rejuvenate the Breakers, who raised their level of play to score two goals from the run of play within 5 minutes before the halftime whistle blew. The first Breaker goal was scored by Alberto Mata on a superbly taken close range shot. The second goal was scored by Erik Espinoza who received the ball while streaking through the penalty box with a flick of the ball outside of his boot over the defender before packing the ball into the Marin net with his next touch. Once again the two teams battled to a draw after a very fast paced, athletic 45 minute second half and 30 minutes of golden goal sudden death overtime. Despite what some considered a goal by Alberto Mata’s driven ball that hit the cross bar and eventually bounced out of the goal late in the second overtime, the final whistle blew and for the second time in two days, it was another round of PKs to decide who would advance, this time to the State Championship on April 29th. Amazingly enough it came down to the 10th penalty shot again. After Eric Masch, Jose Gonzalez, Erik Espinoza, Diego Gonzalez and Alberto Mata converted their penalty kicks, the final Marin players shot was saved by Jeremy Delre, who quite honestly could have played one of his best youth career matches!

The Breakers play at 12:00 noon for their fourth State Championship on Sunday April 29th at Robersons Park in Livermore. By virtue of the CYSA getting the wildcard in the U18 bracket for the 2007 USYSA Far West Regionals, the Breakers and the Thunder will travel to Las Vegas June 17-24th   for the 2007 USYSA Far West Regional Championship. This will be the Breakers 88B team’s fifth time in six years

April 21, 2007 Turlock, CA - The Santa Cruz County Breakers 88 advanced to semifinals of the California Youth Soccer Association State Championship Match for the fifth time in six years. Saturdays quarterfinals match was a hard fought battle with a very athletic and determined San Juan Lightning team. The Breakers had to overcome one goal deficits twice on goals by Diego Gonzalez and Walker Linares. Gonzalez goal was a header driven down beneath the hands of on onrushing San Juan goalkeeper. It was his first touch of the ball after entering the game midway through the first half and came on a superbly driven ball from Eric Masch at right back. The Breakers second goal to draw even at 2-2 was another header, this time by Walker Linares on a low driven corner kick from Jose Gonzalez which Linares redirected into the far post side netting…one of the highlight goals of the tournament. After 90 minutes and two 15 minute golden goal overtime periods, it came to Penalty Kicks to decide the eventual winner. It was not decided until the 10th penalty kick. After Jose Gonzalez, Jeremy Delre, Alberto Mata, Erik Espinoza and Diego Gonzalez all scored, the Lightning missed their final kick to put the Breakers through to the State Championship semifinals.   

 SC Breakers U88 Continue to Advance in the State Cup

April 15, 2006 - Morgan Hill, CA – Three time and defending State Champion Santa Cruz County Breakers 88 U18 boys select soccer team advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2007 Cal-North USYSA State Cup tournament this afternoon with a 4-0 victory over the Mission SF United team from San Francisco. First half Breaker goals were scored by Erik Espinoza and Diego Gonzalez (both assisted by Jose Gonzalez). In the second half, goals by Anthony Ponce (assisted by Alberto Mata) and a second by Diego Gonzalez (assisted by Bernabe Camacho) put the Breakers into the quarterfinals for the eight consecutive year. The Breakers 88 play the San Juan Lightning in the quarterfinals next Saturday in Turlock, CA.

SC Breakers U88 Adventures in Switzerland

April 10, 2007 - It has been a whirlwind since the opening night match against Barcelona with each day packed with press interviews, TV filming, ceremonies, coaches meetings and superb football. Between preparing, playing and reviewing each match plus the tournament planned activities it has been difficult to find time to write.

Day 4 found us playing FC Basel in our second match of the tournament…one of the best, if note the elite youth soccer side, in all of Switzerland and it was a difficult day at best. From the moment the Basel team let out a blood curdling war cry in the tunnel when the referees started the walk out we were never quite comfortable. Jet lag, a bit let down after out shooting but losing to a very talented Barcelona side all coupled with the energy and focus with which Basel came out put us on our heels immediately.

They were clearly a very professional youth side. Within 20 minutes they had gone up three - nil on incredibly well driven balls from their left side into the box which found the two hard crashing 6’5’’ plus front runners in the air. It will turn out that one of these front runners, Luka Lapenda, will win the golden boot for most goals scored in the tournament. Although getting some of the run of play, we were just never really in this match and by the interval had given up yet another energetic goal to a side that simply was the more rested, athletic, organized, and determined side on the day. We came to learn that this side is hand picked (some having already played in the Swiss first division side), financially very well backed, trains 8 times a week, twice two days a week and when firing on all cylinders is considered one of the very best in Europe. They were today a superb side.

After we collected ourselves and made some adjustments at half time we were unlucky not to score pull at least one goal back and only lost the second half 1-0 on the 52nd minute strike by Subotic on a blazing fast counter attack.

We came away from this match having learned some valuable lessons that will make us a better side and have nicknamed powerfully driven balls into the box as a Basel bullets. Painful but very educational evening for our American youth soccer players that train 2-3 times a week amongst all the competing demands they face in contrast to the Academy environment of these European sides.

Day 5 – Teams Presentation to the City of Bellinzona at the Base of the Bellinzona Castle/ meeting with Brazilian Palmeiras team technical staff and Match against ARIS Salinicco of Greece.

The day started with the team heading off for a tour of the three major Castles of Bellinzona – truly a remarkably beautiful area of Switzerland.

Meanwhile Breaker coach Bob Poser and Coaching Director Paolo Carbone meeting with the Director of Professional Football, the technical director and U19 team head coach of the great football Club Palmeiras to exchange ideas. While they were very happy to discuss tactics and historical ideas of the CFB (Brazilian Football Association) and the effect the CFB has on the professional teams in Brazil, they were also interested to learn of our tactical ideas and goals. It was a great opportunity to further deepen the relationship between the Clubs as they discussed players visiting for periods of training in Sao Paolo. It was fascinating to learn the influence the CFB has on all Brazilian clubs and players traveling to other continents and playing leagues to embrace the most current CFB philosophies so that they are prepared to rejoin the Brazilian National team when called up for international competition.

The team then met in the City center for the tournament ceremony of presenting each team to the people of Bellinzona and Region Ticino. It was a grand affair with TV cameras, newspaper journalists, music, buffet/bar and many families with younger children clamoring to get autographs and glimpses of the next generation of professional footballers. Each team was given theme music as they came up to the stage where the captain was given a tournament poster and said a few words of thank you. The music the tournament selected for the Breakers was perfect…I GET AROUND by the Beach Boys! Some of the most heartwarming images were those of our Breaker players giving autographs to Swiss children alongside those future pro players from Barcelona, Tottenham and Palmeiras.

ARIS Salonicco Match

This was a game we were prepared for and felt as if was our best chance to take our first three points.

The Breakers appeared to finally be getting over jet lag and the very fast speed of play. While the Greeks also had tall target players our speed of play had improved in the two 60 minute matches we had played the two previous days. Our front runners were more active, we were playing much quicker and creating good space for Jose Gonzalez to find more time in the midfield, which he took 10 minutes into the match to drive a 35 yard blast that flew inches over the cross bar

Not two minutes later we realized that while we might have been getting used to the speed of play we did not have that little bit of luck required on occasion for the margin of victory. With the front runners stretching the Greek central defenders (one in an off side position) Gonzalez pushed a ball through for himself and was away through the middle one on one with the keeper, when the ARs flag went up and the referee blew the whistle stopping play, despite both Breaker front runners turning away from play. With the Breakers pushed up the Greek side took the free kick quickly capitalizing perhaps the worst call of the tournament and scored on a counterattack three touches later. Amazing rather than up 1—0 we find ourselves playing from behind again. As if that wasn’t bad enough our keeper, Jeremy Delre, is given a straight red on a collision in our box on a corner kick scramble. This called 15 year old Breaker keeper Kevin Halasz into action …tough duty, his first minute of action at the U19 international level was to face a penalty kick! With the Breakers in vocal support, Kevin dove to his right and just barely missed saving a very well taken PK.

Disappointed and feeling the weight of the world the Breakers left the stadium convinced that tomorrow they would surely find the net for the first time this week.

Day 6 - Match vs. Borussia Möchengaldbach

Well this was our last game of the tournament and we were determined to find the back of the net however this German side had only given up a single goal in beating the great Brazilian side Palmeiras 2-1 earlier this week (and Palmeiras would play for the Championship later this evening) so we knew it would not be an easy task. Injuries had really depleted our side throughout the week and we were glad to have been 18 STRONG, as we would need them all. This proved to be a bit difficult defensively at first with some new faces in the line up.

However, one of us would have imagined that we would be down 3-0 at half time after the lessons learned in the first three matches.

The good news is that the boys found another gear after the interval determined to win the second half of this game and prove themselves worthy of invitation to the tournament. At last we would find some Breaker energy, confidence and yes, just a little but of that oh so badly needed luck.

After 10 minutes Linares made a run into the final third and sent a through ball to Diego Gonzalez who drove a rocket shot past the German keeper only to hit the far post BUT this time it would pop back into play at the 8 yard line where Joe Eubanks dove to met the ball in mid air and drive it into the M’gladbach net for the Breakers first goal of the tournament! If you heard a whoosh sound sometime around 2 AM on Monday morning it was our collective sigh of relief! This changed the game in grand fashion. The Beakers were finally playing like we know we are capable of and had the better run of play creating a number of opportunities in the M’gladbach defensive third. Having adapted to the speed of play and recognizing the need for driven balls of great pace, the Breakers demonstrated we had gained some important experience in the past days. Our second goal came on a great ball played deep into the German final third that found Anthony Ponce who had made a committed run from the midfield. Ponce then played a Manny Leos who had shown in support from the right back position. Leos whipped a ball even the Basel players would have ben proud to find a streaking Erik Espinoza. Espinoza who had finally seemed to find his rhythm rose to send a superb header towards goal, perfectly placing the ball back across goal into the near upper V…the Breakers were now in stride! Confidence was now on our side and the M’gladbach coach was up urging his players to not allow a third and tying goal. We thought we had found that elusive point late in the game after the best 20 minutes of football we had played all tournament. A final coaching change to bring Alberto Mata to the middle of the park and move Jose Gonzalez wide left, positions the boys played for 7 years prior to Mata going to Cabrillo College, had Gonzalez isolated on the left side in the final third. As he turned and went at goal he was taken down one yard inside the penalty box. Unfortunately, despite this refereeing crew being very good – as had been the case throughout the tournament, save the center in Greek match – this center was not close enough to play and after running 15 yards to site of the infraction signaled for a free kick one yard outside the box. Now it was M’gladbach sighing with relief. Despite some wonderful play in the final moments the Breakers were unable to find that elusive goal before the final whistle. While having lost yet another match, the Breakers players, coaching staff and fans had felt redeemed that we had shown the kind of football we are capable of and that they were worthy of invitation to this prestigious tournament. There was a good deal of respect shown between players while organizing for the following team photo.

The post game atmosphere as had ben the case all week was incredible. The entire town had come out for an Easter weekend barbeque in the Club house with players from both teams having a well earned lunch and the towns children thrilled to get Breaker and M’gladbach hats, pins, stickers and players autographs. It was as if although the match, while important, was only part of these peoples celebration of the competition and the beautiful game itself. I was somewhat envious to see how this small Swiss mountain community had come together around the beautiful game of soccer. While the two teams collected themselves an U6 match was played in the corner of the pitch before we all headed to the Clubhouse for celebratory Ticino region rice and sausage buffet specialty.  

More about the Championship match later that evening and final thoughts of the City of Bellinzona, Region of Ticino, this wonderful tournament and lessoned learned later.

Bob Poser - Head Coach, SCC Breakers 88

4/6/07 - Day 3 Bellinzona:

Yesterday was another day of recovery from the transatlantic flight with the highlight being a tour of the soccer outlet stores, a tour of through the Swiss countryside with lunch by Lac Lugano and our second training.

After lunch we had our second training session of the trip and it was clear the boys were feeling a bit better with another day in this time zone under there belts. The focus of the session was defensive shape, transition and set plays.

At last, Match Day is finally here. We started a long day by attending technical meeting and opening ceremonies in the Town Hall situated in the heart of old Bellinzona proper where tournament and referee officials (including observers from FIF and UEFA) made presentations. Director, Coach and Captains from each team were required to attend. Afterwards there was a reception in the magnificent courtyard of Town Hall…in which we presented the appropriate dignitaries (Mayor, Chief of Tourism and tournament director) a copy of the history of Santa Cruz Beach board walk, our Club pennant and t-shirt.

After a team meeting in the afternoon we headed over to Faido (30 minutes out of Bellinzona) to play Barcelona match. The boys appeared quite focused and excited for this opportunity to measure themselves against one of the most storied Clubs in the world. Just prior to heading out the locker room for our team warm up we had a great surprise when Larry Biggam, the President of the Santa Cruz County Youth Soccer League, arrived and spoke with the players to tell them how proud the County was of them and encouraged them to enjoy this experience of a lifetime.

Again the facilities were great. FC Barcelona as expected was a superb side. We knew we were in for a spectacular experience when we saw our captains at the center circle with those of Barcelona and the first division referees from the Swiss FA.

Barcelona had explosive speed and were very technical…and when given the slightest chance, deadly! The match was heavily anticipated to see whether the Americans were up to the task of playing against the highly touted players of Barcelona. As the first half unfolded it was the Breakers with the better chances and in fact narrowly missed drawing first blood twice – once on a corner that Allen Hardison put just wide of the Barcelona goal and another on a throw in by Walker Linares that Erik Espinoza put just over the crossbar. Barcelona were very quick in counter and technically superb with exceptional speed of play and precise, well timed, explosive runs off the ball. The first half ended 0-0 with the Breakers having taken 4 shots (one on goal) to Barcelona’s two (one on goal).

The second half saw small adjustments by both sides with Barcelona less willing to leave as many players forward on the Breakers set plays. After 11 minutes of fast paced football from both sides Barcelona capitalized on a miscommunication in the Breaker midfield that resulted in a loose ball bouncing to their #10 (Jonathan los Santos) who took struck the ball while in mid-flight with lightning speed bending it into the upper V beyond the reach of Breaker keeper Jeremy Delre. Despite the Breakers out shooting Barcelona 2-0, los Santos spectacular goal proved the game winner. After the match there was great camaraderie shown both by sides. The Breakers won the respect and the hearts of the people of Faido and Bellinzona, Switzerland with a good level of play and the Breaker players walking to the crowd with their arms raised applauding the knowledgeable and appreciative 500 spectators.

A great post-game meal with the friendly people of Faido topped off a wonderful evening of football and friendship amongst the passionate world of Calcio (football) here in the Italian region of the Swiss Alps.

Time to run to a team meeting to prepare for a must win match this evening against the powerful FC Basel, one of the top Clubs in the Swiss FA and 3-0 winners last night against the ARIS FC Salonicco of Greece.

Bob Poser
Head Coach, Breakers ‘88

April 3, 2007, Bellinzona Switzerland - Day 1 for the U18 Santa Cruz County Breakers 88 boys team in Bellinzona, Switzerland is in the books. The tournament organizers have been wonderful, treating us in a truly professional manner with every detail from pick up at the Milan airport in Italy and transport to Bellinzona (what a breathtaking ride into the Swiss Alps), housing, meals, training times, facilities and equipment all very well arranged.

Each team in the tournament is assigned a hotel. We have been lucky enough to get the most secluded hotel just south of the city center with our windows opening into a lush green meadow with a river and a spectacular view of the Alps (over which a full moon rose) as if to welcome us to this beautiful place. They had a great buffet dinner waiting for us after which we hit the sack in order to try and get our biorhythms on Swiss time – our opening match against Barcelona is now less than 72 hours!

After a great breakfast we were driven into town with the two guides the organizer shave assigned to us to see the glorious medieval town of Bellinzona proper.

We walked through the famous Castle and saw wonderful views of the two other Castles and defensive wall of Bellinzona. The other highlight was all the posters around town announcing the tournament teams.

After shopping for chocolate we headed back to the hotel for lunch and to prepare for our first training on Swiss soil. Our hosts drove us to a private training ground with a groundskeeper and changing room where they provided us new cones, pinnies and balls. We had a few professional trainers from the Club Bellinzona watching and knew that our fist impression was about to be made … impressions that would no doubt ring throughout the tournament organizers and other participating teams. The training session lasted one hour and fifty minutes and really helped get the transatlantic voyage out of our system – at long last we were playing the game we loved again. However, instead of the stands of Cabrillo College we were surrounded by steeps snow capped mountains covered with vineyards with classic mountain weather that quickly changed between everything from sunny skies to thunder and light rain. We received many compliments on the quality and intensity of the training session and were told we will be presented with video footage of this and other moments throughout the tournament that they are compiling. The boys did Santa Cruz County proud with good focus, a mature attitude and a professional mentality. Thanks to the donations we received and the team’s  commitment to representing the Club, County, State and Country, the boys are looking and acting very professional.

After another great meal, the boys retired to their rooms for the evening to relax and watch Champions League matches on TV and preparing for another great day in which we will tour nearby Lugano and Lucarno and the glorious lakes that surround us.  Meanwhile, the Breaker coaching staff met with some of the tournament committee members and learned about the ceremonies that are planned in the coming days in the City center, on the opening day of the tournament –where the teams are officially presented to the Mayor of Bellinzona, the tournament organizers, one other and the people of the Bellinzona. We will also meet the Palmeiras team tomorrow of the next day in an informal gathering.

It’s late so I’ll sign off for this evening. Everyone is healthy and happy and despite missing friends and family we are having a great time.

Bob Poser
Head Coach, Breakers ‘88